Toronto – The City of Toronto is inviting residents to provide input on the implementation of a new renovictions bylaw modelled after successful initiatives in other cities across Canada.
In June, Toronto City Council directed City staff to create a bylaw in response to the growing trend of renovictions in Toronto, where a landlord illegitimately evicts a tenant by alleging that vacant possession of the rental unit is required to make renovations or repairs, leading to situations where landlords increase rents significantly or refuse to allow tenants to return to their homes. This results in the displacement of tenants, the permanent loss of affordable rental housing, and contributes to rising homelessness in Toronto.
To inform the development of the bylaw, the City is engaging with tenants, landlords, and residents impacted by renovictions. Staff will report back to the Planning and Housing Committee with a proposed renovictions bylaw in October.
Online survey
Residents are encouraged to share their insights and experiences by completing the online survey by Monday, September 30 on the City’s website.
Drop-in sessions
The City is also hosting in-person and virtual consultation meetings as detailed below:
- Toronto East
Date: Wednesday, September 4
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. – Foyer
- Toronto West
Date: Thursday, September 5
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), 1499 Queen St. W. – Auditorium
- North York
Date: Thursday, September 5
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge St. – Burgundy Room
- Etobicoke
Date: Saturday, September 7
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall – Council Chamber
- Scarborough
Date: Sunday, September 8
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr. – Atrium
- City-wide Online Session
Date: Monday, September 9
Time: 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Zoom Online Meeting: Click the link 
or join by phone at 647-374-4685
Meeting ID: 369 644 7895
Passcode: 740975
- Downtown Toronto
Date: Friday, September 13
Time: 1:30 to 3.30 p.m.
Location: 55 John Street – Rotunda (main floor)
The proposed design of a Toronto renovictions bylaw will require landlords to:
- apply for a renovation licence before starting renovations;
- submit a report showing a need for vacant possession of the unit to do the renovations; and
- provide compensation or an accommodation plan for tenants, where applicable.
City Council has also requested the Province of Ontario take concrete action to protect tenants by proclaiming into law Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act and amending the Residential Tenancies Act to re-introduce rent control on units first occupied after November 15, 2018, as well as vacancy control to preserve privately-owned affordable rental homes and reduce the incentive for landlords to illegitimately evict tenants.
More information on the Renovictions Policy Implementation report is available on the City’s website.